"I've Missed You!!!"

You would think that we’ve been long time friends the way the students ran over to us as soon as they saw us, engulfing us in hugs. Right away the girls around me let me know what pictures they wanted to draw with me that day, and that became the incentive as we first plunged into their homework. Of course, some of the students weren’t fans of their homework; but others welcomed our corrections, even if it meant more work for them. This brought me so much joy. It’s one thing to get something done. It’s another to give something your best. I saw the perfect student in some of these kids. They had a desire to learn, coupled with a persistence to do their homework the right way and not take shortcuts. Week two, and I already know that I am going to learn a lot more than just new names with these children. They’re talented, their excited, and they beam when someone notices. From the five year old that already has a killer “Tom Brady” throw with a football, to the young artists who use almost every color in the 64 pack of crayons, to the older girl who stayed inside with me long after all the other kids had finished their homework so she could finish hers, the right way. She went above and beyond on each of her assignments, even though it took her longer and caused her to miss out on some play time.

These kids have so much personality, energy, and joy.  It’s simply a blast to spend an afternoon with them.

Tutoring, for me, didn’t end there. One of the ladies who came to our Bible study last week is in a math class, so we both came a little early and did some algebra together before Bible study started. Working with her made me realize that there are a lot of fundamentals I’ve learned that I’ve taken for granted. I began to realize how confusing this math class must be as I realized this.  But she’s a hard worker. And she asks the questions to make sure she really understands each step of the problem. She brought the same hardworking, inquisitive mind to the Bible lesson. Everyone did. There were great questions and comments throughout the whole lesson as Pastor Geating took us through the first five verses of 1 Corinthians 2. A powerful passage that reminds us

of His power and our desperate need for a personal relationship with him.  I love learning. I love seeing and helping others learn. But last night’s lesson reminded me of how all the knowledge in the world is meaningless unless there is a knowledge and desire to continue to know Him. “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Corinithians 2:2). Does the knowledge of Him and what He’s done for me affect me daily? Does it affect the way I interact with these students at the recreation center? Is it a game changer in my life?

And It Begins...

“Wait, um I think I’m going to get confused again,” said Rayden, the first grader I am helping with homework, as I turn to help another student.  From the moment they arrived to the recreation center and saw us, it was more than evident that they were excited we were there. A cluster of girls formed around me, some just looking up at me, others asking me who I was, and if I was there to play with them. They laughed as I struggled to pronounce some of their names, and were hesitant to go inside from playing games to put away their backpacks until I came too.

Between Yom Kippur and the Pope coming to Philly, yesterday was their last day until next week. But for the ones who had homework, they were eager to power through as much of it as they could now that they had help. One of the recreation center workers had to tell Rayden to go outside and play when he was the last one to leave, with more than half of his week’s homework packet completed.  He was just that excited to work ahead on his homework.

Mariah, another student at the recreation center, is supposedly one of their “wild ones,” but she was a complete joy, smiling ear to ear and giving Pastor Bryant high fives as she worked on spelling words. Helping the lower elementary students was a ton of fun, but I think we all learned a few things when we helped out with some of the science homework of the older kids, diving into the textbook alongside the students as we talked out what the possible answers could be to their earth science questions.

Overall, it was a blast. Pastor Alonzo brought a ton of fruit that even the older guys on the  basketball court came over for. And after we were done with the homework we got our workout in playing tag, everyone-after-the-ball soccer, and some good ole’ steal the bacon.  Time flew by, and some of the kids are already counting the days until we come back next week. “You coming everyday!” “Just Tuesdays” “Everyday?!”  “No, we’ll be here on Tuesday’s” “Tuesday? That’s like… 6 days from now” (close, but kid, you don’t even have school the rest of the week, you won’t even be coming here!)

The night ended with our Bible study a few blocks away at St. James Lutheran Church. A beautiful building that is being lent to us Tuesday nights, as we begin this new church plant. Two ladies from the community joined us and we all walked away from the gathering filled from the Word of God and prayer, as we wrestled with the idea of truly finding our identity in Him.

Day one, but I am already excited to see all that the Lord has in store for us as we continue on in our journey with Him in Frankford, Philadelphia.